Part I. Organize Your Greeting Card Station

Somewhere in your home is a special chair, desk or sitting area that you use at least once a day. To prepare for your regular practice of sending good cheer to others on a regular basis, you first need to organize your Greeting Card Box.

Get in the habit of at least once a week, pulling out your Greeting Card Boxand sending at least one person a special note. Check back for Part II Your Top 10 Lists of Things to Say. Sending someone a card will raise their spirits and yours too.

Some of the most interesting people are artists. Those gifted people among us who express themselves by virtue of imagination, talent and skill through a particular medium/aesthetic.

Shelly Reeves Smith is an award winning watercolor artist from southern Missouri, and currently lives in Branson. Her illustrations of home and garden can be found on calendars, books, greeting cards and gifts. The artwork on Easton Publishings cards was produced by Shelly and are a wonderful reflection of her beautiful spirit. Shelly has a blog and shares more about her and her art there. She says, “I have a wonderful husband and son, and we make our home in the Ozarks in Southern Missouri along with our beloved setters. We prefer life in the country, where I can find plenty of inspiration for my work – among God’s beautiful creation or in homey objects that remind me of family or friends.”

Her creative vein doesn’t stop with her watercolor paintings though, Shelly is also an accomplished musician. She says when she isn’t spending time with her family or painting, she can be found playing with her blue grass band, “Lonesome Road.”

Easton Publishing felt there was no one better that could express what they wanted to provide on their collection of special cards for life’s extraordinary moments…check them out here. www.eastonpublishing.com.

Someone close to you has passed away. You weren’t able to make it to the funeral. What to do?

Write a letter to the person who is closest to your friend/loved one. Share your happy memories, funny stories, old pictures (one or two that you don’t mind giving up). Tell them how much you will miss the person, and how thankful and grateful you are that they were part of your life. This doesn’t only help you – it will help the one it’s hitting the hardest. Just imagine how wonderful it would be to receive such a letter.

These are the kinds of things many people keep – looking at again and again years later.

Early man did not celebrate birthdays until after they began to understand lunar cycles then subsequently established calendars.

Before the rise of Christianity, birthday celebrations were a form of protection. It was a common belief that evil spirits were more dangerous to a person when he or she experienced a change in their daily life, such as turning a year older. To protect them from harm, friends and family would gather around the birthday person and bring good cheers, thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits.

In todays culture, we see it as just a way of honoring our friends and family. When you need something to make it just a little more special, go to www.eastonpublishing.com. Let them know how much they mean to you with one of our unique cards. It will brighten their day and yours as well.

They mean so much to you. Enough, that you want them to know you remembered their birthday. Get one of our “special cards” that are wrapped in the special “care package” envelope. Then, here’s some ideas of what to write in that special card…

This is your special day…celebrate!

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Sincere good wishes on your special day.

Best wishes on your birthday for good health and happiness throughout the year.

Warmest greetings on your birthday with every good wish for the coming year.

With friendly thoughts and best wishes for your birthday.

Sending you sincere wishes for good health and happiness on your birthday.

What better way to say “you are important to me,” than to send a special multi-page card with original artwork, poetry and wrapped in an envelope that resembles a care package…simply beautiful. Be someone’s inspiration.